Main Executive gets first two-turn test

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Main Executive, sidelined since his decisive victory in the May 13 New Providence Stakes, will negotiate a two-turn distance for the first time Sunday at Woodbine in the $125,000 Shepperton Stakes.

Main Executive, a front-runner trained by Radlie Loney, has won six of eight starts for earnings of $285,868. The six-furlong New Providence was his stakes debut, and he got the job done while being awarded a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.

Loney said Main Executive came up with a pus pocket in his foot just prior to the June 30 allowance prep for the Bold Venture Stakes and had to be withdrawn.

"He missed a couple days of training," Loney said. "He wasn't sound enough to run on it."

The Shepperton is normally run at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track, but has been switched to 7 1/2 furlongs on the inner track this year while the main track is being converted into a Polytrack surface.

Loney said he has no qualms with running Main Executive 7 1/2 furlongs.

"If he gets beat, it won't be because of the distance," Loney said. "I've always thought that he could go far, and we'll see if I'm right. He's been training very well. I'm looking for big things from him."

The Shepperton, for Ontario-sired runners, has also lured Dave the Knave, Millfleet, Marco Be Good, Mister Coop, and Moonshine Justice.

Dave the Knave has won two of three starts at the meeting and finished third in the New Providence.

Trainer Bob Tiller said he's concerned about Dave the Knave handling the sharp turns of the inner track.

"I'm uncertain about the turns with him," Tiller said. "He's a big, long-striding horse, and he's not the type who excels around the turns. He's doing awfully good right now. He's a fresh horse. I wish it was still on the main track, because I think he'd have big chance to win it."

Millfleet, the runner-up in the New Providence, is exiting a front-running triumph over soft turf in the restricted Ontario Jockey Club Stakes.

"He's a nice little horse," said trainer Mike DePaulo. "We haven't found a track that he doesn't like."

Marco Be Good posted a 12-1 upset last time on the grass, in the Grade 3 Highlander Stakes, winning with a 101 Beyer. He also won his two previous races, both in allowance company on the main track.

Mister Coop, victorious in four of eight starts last year, is returning from a 10-month layoff.